ABC

Louis Vuitton, from left: Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Pre-Fall 2013, Fall 2013. Click to see the full Fall 2013 collection. 

The ABC of fashion now. 
I love it when people tell me that, even though they're not all that fashion conscious, they enjoy reading this blog. Fashion is a vast industry - one that's almost impossible to keep up with even if you want to. This post is for everyone who 'isn't so into fashion but wants to know more.' In the language of fashion, knowing your ABC is the first step to speaking fluent style.

A is for ALWAYS CHANGING.

Right now, we South Africans are riding the layering trend seen at Louis Vuitton Fall 2012. Meanwhile, in Europe, fashion magazines are advising readers to don the monochrome checkerboard crop tops from the Spring 2013 runway, while slowly moving into the LBD from Pre-Fall. The Fall 2013 collection hit the runway two months ago.

Nicolas Ghesquière by Juergen Teller for System. Click to read the full interview. 

B is for BALENCIAGA DRAMA

There's a lot to say about the iconic house of Balenciaga right now. The fashion world was shocked when creative director Nicolas Ghesquière called it quits after his Spring 2013 show, and there are a wide range of opinions when it comes to Alexander Wang's first show for the house.

In an exclusive interview with System magazine, Nicolas Ghesquière got vocal on his reasons for leaving. It looks like the house of Balenciaga isn't so great at merging its business and creative sides. Reading this interview with Ghesquière one must wonder, will Wang be able to handle it all?

The invitation to Chanel's Cruise 2014 show.
Click to discover more Chanel news. 

C is for CHANEL CRUISE. 

Chanel is arguably the most iconic brand in fashion. When creative director Karl Lagerfeld isn't importing icebergs for his runway shows, he's bringing in two rows of wind turbines to complement the solar-panel-floor runway. 

Karl has no problem with moving his runway to far-away locations. The Pre-Fall 2013 collection was shown in Scotland, and next week fashion editors will be jetting off to Singapore to witness what he's got in store for Cruise 2014. 

Bottega Veneta Fall 2013. Click to see full collection. 

D is for DRESS WILL IMPRESS. 

Not good at putting an outfit together? The answer to that dilemma is always a fantastic dress. Take this beauty from Bottega Veneta for example: it will look good on just about anyone, is guaranteed to get complements, and needs no accessories (except a great pair of shoes, of course). 

If you can find a dress that you love that fits all those requirements, buy it immediately. A happy (read stylish) ending is inevitable. 

Miley Cyrus covers the June 2013 issue of British ELLE.
 Click to get her look. 

E is for ELLE. 

ELLE is the world's biggest-selling fashion magazine. It's the easiest way to access the latest fashion trends and enjoy doing it. The magazine offers style and substance, always giving you something to talk about - and something to wear while you do. 

There are 43 editions of ELLE. 
The best ones are...
South African
British
American
Italian

Carey Mulligan photographed by Mario Testino for VOGUE, May 2013.
Fashion editor: Grace Coddington. Click to see the full story  

F is for FASHION FILM. G is for GATSBY.

Every now and again, a film comes along which dazzles audiences with its spectacular costumes. For The Great Gatsby the twenties were brought to life with the help of Miuccia Prada. This is a must-see for too many reasons to count. Watch the trailer HERE. See the Prada costumes HERE.

Dior Haute Couture Spring 2013.
Click to view the full collection. 

H is for HAUTE COUTURE.

What's not to love about a one-of-a-kind item made especially to fit your body? A Haute Couture piece is timeless, beautiful, and the ultimate status symbol in fashion.


I is for INTERNET REVOLUTION.

In the old days, the average fashion lover would have to wait to get their hands on the latest VOGUE to see the new-season collections. Today, you can watch the latest Prada show live from Milan on at your nearest wifi hot spot.

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2013.
Click to see the collection details. 

J is for JOHN GALLIANO.

He was fired from Dior following an episode in a bar involving too much booze and a very public anti-semitic slur. Now that the scandal's blown over, designer Oscar de la Renta has taken him under his wing.

Just how much Galliano influenced De la Renta's (brilliant) fall collection is unclear. But his influence is undeiable.

The latest of Kate's many British VOGUE covers.
Click to see the full story. 

K is for KATE MOSS.

She's the most iconic model of our time. She's shot with every important photographer, covered every important magazine, influenced global style with her grunge-dressing tendencies, and proves that there is an exception to the tall model rule.


L is for LESS IS MORE.

When people look back on the direction of fashion today, they'll think of minimalism. At the forefront of this movement is Phoebe Philo, creative director of

Burberry Prorsum Menswear Fall 2013.
Click to see the full collection. 

M is for MENSWEAR. 

Let's not forget the guys, shall we? This season, Burberry gives the guy in a suit a little heart with a printed shirt. Who said you can't have fun at the office? 

N is for NEW YORK CITY. 

Some call it a city, others call it a concrete runway. Twice a year, fashion month kicks off at Lincoln Center before moving on to London, Milan and Paris. The City has produced a host of influential designers, editors and fictional characters like Carrie Bradshaw and Blair Waldorf. 

Click to see some of Anna's best looks. 

O is for OVER THE TOP. 

Fashion can be extremely fun. When you rev your style up a notch, or like Japanese VOGUE editor Anna Dello Russo ten notches, you might just become a style icon. 

Anna has two apartments: one for herself, and one for her clothes. She's famous for wearing looks straight off the runway - don't be surprised if you see her in a Gucci evening dress at 10am during Milan fashion week. She may just be fashion's biggest fan. 

See P to Z HERE.